Bringing the Past and Future Together in a Journey of Memories and Goals

Furthermore, the project encourages students to think about their past 10 years,  promoting self-reflection, while helping them appreciate their growth and achievements. It fosters a sense of gratitude and self-awareness. I always encourage students and parents to complete this project together, not only to provide necessary help to students but also to recall the beautiful past and the pace of growth together. 

Setting goals for the next ten years empowers students to envision their future. It teaches them the value of planning and working toward their dreams, both academically and personally. Students are making short-term and long-term plans during this project. Maybe it’s the goal students want to achieve in middle school or how to enter their ideal major in college to benefit the public. Finally, this project encourages creativity as students have the freedom to design their timelines in a way that represents their unique experiences and aspirations. They can be a comic strip, a book, or a long line through time and space.

Over the course of one week, students gathered information and created timelines. They considered significant events, achievements, and personal growth with family from their earliest memories to the present. They included first steps, family vacations, school milestones, hobbies, and more. They then considered where they want to be and what they want to accomplish over the next 10 years. At the end, students presented their timelines to the class, allowing them to share their experiences and goals with their classmates.

Now that the projects are complete, I encourage parents and guardians to engage in conversation about memories and future goals with your child. Offer guidance and encouragement. Parents can talk about family history, why the family moved to San Francisco, or what meaningful activities the family did together as children. Altogether, this project strengthens our students' mathematical skills and enriches their lives by promoting reflection, gratitude, and a vision for a bright future. We have enjoyed seeing the insightful and inspiring timelines our sixth grade students have created.